Dangerous Witness

by Katie Reus

  He’d complained more than once in the past about wearing suits, but no matter his feeling on the subject, suits agreed with him. His broad shoulders strained against the fine material. Every inch of him was delicious, the suit merely his camouflage. Because underneath it, he was a trained warrior. One who would do anything to protect those he cared about.

  She grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket and pulled him close. “I want to push you into the nearest room and have my wicked way with you.”

  It was clear she’d surprised him, but his expression quickly morphed into his charming, cowboy grin. “I’m obliged to let you do that,” he murmured.

  The low tone sent a rush of heat between her legs. She reached for the handle on the nearest door, clearly having completely lost her mind. “After this wedding, I swear, I’m going to strip—”

  She paused as Audrey, her sister’s other bridesmaid, stepped out of the room Emma was using as a dressing room. She smiled when she saw Darcy. “Hey, I’m going to go grab a couple glasses of champagne. Do you want one?”

  She shook her head. “No, but I’ll join you soon.”

  Audrey glanced between her and Brooks then winked at Darcy. “Take your time.”

  Darcy laughed as Audrey hurried down the hallway. Once she disappeared down the stairs, Darcy whispered, “It’s probably nothing, but I overheard Semyon talking in Russian in the kitchen. So I recorded his side of the conversation. Just in case.” She kept her voice low, so only Brooks could hear her, even though no one else was in the hallway.

  Brooks glanced around then took her hand and opened one of the doors. She’d gotten a tour of the house before and was fairly familiar with the layout, so she knew it would be a guest room. They were greeted by a queen-sized bed and a lot of earth tones.

  “I’m going to send the recording to Gage,” he said, taking her phone. “He should be able to do something with it.” In complete serious mode, his fingers flew across the screen as he sent the message off.

  His jaw tightened as he looked down at the screen. His profile was enough to make her panties melt. Even the custom suit couldn’t hide the raw masculinity and barely civilized edge lurking beneath.

  When he looked up and met her gaze, her breath caught in her throat. Raw hunger sparked in the dark depths. “Keep looking at me like that and I’m going to fuck you right here.” His words were a savage growl.

  “Promise?” She took a step toward him. Right now, she didn’t care that her hair and makeup were done. He could mess her up all he wanted.

  They met each other halfway, and his big hand landed on her hip. His fingers flexed, holding her in place.

  As if she had any desire to leave. It was completely irresponsible, but she didn’t care. If he wanted to get naked right here, right now, she was pretty sure there was a lock on the door.

  “Darcy—”

  He broke off as his phone started ringing. Cursing once, he reached into his pocket and pulled his phone out and answered on the second ring. “Yeah…” A few tense moments, then, “I’m on my way.”

  In the span of a few seconds, his body language had changed drastically. All of his muscles were pulled taut and she could see…something in his expression. She wasn’t sure how to describe it. He looked like a warrior. And it made her wonder if this was what he was like in battle mode.

  “I have to go. Don’t leave the grounds.”

  “Is it Polzin?”

  “No. I wouldn’t leave unless I had to. I might not be back for the wedding.”

  “That’s fine.” She knew without a doubt that he wouldn’t leave unless it was an emergency, and right now she couldn’t help but be worried about him. She’d never seen him like this before. “Can you tell me what’s wrong?”

  “No, but I’ll call you as soon as I can.” He crushed his mouth to hers for less than a second, but she felt it all the way to her toes.

  “Be safe,” she rasped out as he yanked the door open.

  He nodded once and was gone in a blur of motion.

  What the hell had just happened? She’d wanted to push, to ask for more details, but it had been clear that he needed to leave.

  She just hoped he stayed safe.

  * * *

  Heart racing, Brooks tore down the driveway in his Tesla. As he cleared the gate, he slid his Bluetooth in.

  Gage answered on the first ring. “I’m patching Leighton in right now.”

  The phone rang once then Leighton was on the line. “The Feds are on their way. But they’re about twenty minutes out. I’m with Hazel. How close are you guys?”

  Brooks took a sharp left at the end of the road. “Six minutes, give or take.”

  “Same,” Gage snapped and a horn blared in the background.

  Brooks slowed down as he reached a stop sign, then tore through it when he saw no one coming from any direction.

  “You’re sure about the translation?” Leighton asked.

  Of course Gage was sure, Brooks thought.

  “Nova is certain.” Gage’s words were clipped. “And I ran it through a translation program.”

  “What’s the plan?” Brooks asked.

  “I’m bringing fake FBI credentials,” Gage said. “We should be able to get everybody out of the church. Then when the real Feds show up, they can find the bomb.”

  Yeah, if the thing didn’t go off in the meantime. Brooks’s heart kicked up a notch as he took another turn. Red light ahead. He swerved around an idling car, and pulled into the lane for oncoming traffic. At the four-way light, he raced into the intersection, ignoring the blast of multiple horns.

  It was a risk for Gage to bring fake IDs, but Brooks also understood that it was the only way to get the church cleared out. According to what he’d said on Darcy’s recording, apparently Semyon had a backup plan in place in case things went south with the first location. And he knew that the school bombing had been compromised, according to the overheard conversation. It sounded as if he believed Polzin had been the one to compromise it, so at least Semyon didn’t know about the FBI involvement yet.

  Unfortunately, he’d been confirming with someone about an explosive device at one of the other locations they’d found listed on Turner’s computer. It was a private middle school that was also connected to a Catholic church. And there was a wedding there today. The wedding was the target. Not the school.

  “The church will be packed,” Gage said.

  “Hazel wants you guys to wait until they get there,” Leighton said. “She doesn’t want you two to become casualties. They’ll evacuate the church themselves and send in a—”

  There was a distinct clicking sound. “I hung up on him,” Gage said. “You want to wait for them?”

  “Hell no.”

  “We might not come out of this. Wedding’s in twenty minutes. And Markov didn’t say when it was rigged to go off. For all we know, it could be remote detonation.”

  Brooks didn’t respond. Instead he said, “Why didn’t the Feds have someone watching all the locations?”

  “No shit,” Gage muttered.

  Brooks had a feeling someone’s head was going to roll for that oversight.

  Less than three minutes later, Brooks screeched to a halt in front of a row of cars at the front of the small chapel entrance. As far as churches went, it was small. Right in the middle of the historic downtown district. Near expensive homes and established neighborhoods.

  As he jumped out of his vehicle, Gage parked next to him right in the middle of the street. They were blocking anyone who might try to get by and he gave zero fucks about it.

  Gage tossed him a navy blue jacket with FBI emblazoned on the back. Then he tossed him a black wallet with a fake ID and fake FBI credentials.

  “This shit could get us put in jail,” Brooks muttered.

  “Whatever.” Gage raced toward the double glass doors right next to Brooks.

  Brooks yanked one of the doors open and came face-to-face with the bride and six bridesmaids, all in matching pa
le blue dresses.

  “Ma’am, I need you all to exit quickly and move across the street. Move as far away from the building as possible,” Brooks snapped out.

  An older Hispanic woman next to the bride stepped forward, her expression haughty. “Young man—”

  “Special Agent Blake,” he shouted, using Hazel’s last name. There’s an explosive device in this building. Exit the building now. Now!” The woman gasped but he ignored her, moving through the narthex into the back of the church.

  A priest was at the front with a man, clearly the groom, and the rest of the wedding party. And the church was indeed full. “Start with the back rows,” Brooks said to Gage. “I’m going to talk to the priest and start getting everyone in the front out. There have to be more exits than the back.” And without knowing where the device was, they simply needed everyone out of the building and as far away as possible.

  Racing toward the front, Brooks pulled out his fake badge as he reached the priest, who was frowning as he moved down the steps of the altar toward him. “Father, we have a situation. And our time is limited. We’ve received a tip that there is an explosive device in this building.” He spoke in quiet, even tones. “Backup is on the way. But we need to get everyone out of here now in a timely fashion and without panic. Can you get your parishioners to listen?” he asked.

  A low murmur of panicked voices had already started and when Brooks turned around, he saw that those in the back were listening to Gage and moving out the back doors, but it was clear everyone was confused.

  The man’s eyes widened, but he nodded. “Of course.” He pointed to the left and right of him. “We have two more exit doors here.” Then without any further instructions, he stepped forward and spoke loudly, ordering the first six rows to get up and head to the left exit. Then he ordered the next six rows to move to the right exit.

  All right, Father. “Are there any more people in here? Custodians or—”

  The man paled. “The children. There are a few children upstairs in the nursery—”

  “Where?”

  “Second floor. Through there.” He pointed behind him to an almost hidden door.

  He’d barely finished before Brooks broke away from him. “Did you hear that?” he asked Gage, glad they’d kept their earpieces in.

  “Yeah. I’m right behind you.”

  It didn’t matter that Brooks and Gage hadn’t served together—not directly. He knew without a doubt that Gage would have his back no matter what. The man was just as trained.

  And they had to get those kids out of there.

  Taking the stairs two at a time, his legs ate up the distance as he raced to the second floor. “Third door on the right,” he said as he reached the open doorway where laughing little voices trailed out.

  A woman in her early twenties was sitting on the floor with three kids playing a game. One set of twin girls. And another girl who might be their sister. All had to be under five years old. She looked startled when she saw him and shoved to her feet. “Wh—”

  “I’m with the FBI. We need to get you out of here now. The church is being evacuated. I don’t have time to explain. You’re all in danger. Is there anyone else here?”

  For a moment she was frozen, then nodded. “Ah, little Xavier is in the bathroom,” she said, pointing to another doorway. As if on cue, Brooks heard the toilet flush.

  “Go with my partner.” Brooks motioned to Gage, who’d just hurried into the room, fake ID out. “Now. There’s no time to waste.”

  Nodding, she scooped up one of the little girls. And Gage picked up the twins.

  “I’m going to grab the other kid. We’re right after you.”

  As they hurried out, Brooks pushed the bathroom door open. A small boy, who might be six, was standing on a stool and washing his hands at the sink. He frowned in the mirror when he saw Brooks and turned to face him. “Who are you?” he demanded.

  “I’m the police,” he said, because he figured the kid would understand that more than the FBI.

  “Liar! My daddy is a cop.”

  Ah hell. There was no time to do this. Brooks picked the kid up in one swoop.

  “Stranger danger!” the kid shouted as Brooks tossed him over his shoulder. Little fists pounded against his back and he almost felt bad for the kid.

  “I’m taking you to your mommy, kid!”

  “Liar! You don’t even know my name! Stranger daaaannnnnnnger!” His shrieks pierced Brooks’s eardrums as he hurried back down the stairs.

  Instead of racing toward the back of the church, he hurried toward one of the nearest exits by the front, ignoring the continuing pounding of the kid’s fists. As he burst out into the daylight, a rumble shook the ground.

  No.

  On a burst of speed, he sprinted down the little sidewalk toward the street. A crowd of people had gathered across it, all hovering with each other on a grassy patch. It wasn’t far enough away. He waved at them with one hand. “Move back!”

  People turned and started running. As he hit the pavement of the road, another rumble shook the ground before a piercing boom rent the air.

  God, he hoped Gage and those kids were okay. His friend must have gone out another exit because Brooks didn’t spot him.

  Before the thought had fully formed, an explosion of concrete and stone burst out in every direction. A chunk of colorful glass flew past him as he dove toward the grass, tucking the kid under him as they hit. Using his arms to soften the blow, he tried to protect the kid from the force of their fall.

  With his free hand, he covered the back of his head as debris fell around them. What felt like an eternity later, a deafening silence descended.

  Shoving up, he looked down at the kid, whose eyes were wide. “You okay?”

  The boy nodded, his eyes filled with tears. “I want my mommy,” he whispered.

  “I’ll find her, I promise.” Brooks just hoped that was a promise he could keep. Looking around, he saw that a few people had been injured, but mostly everyone looked okay. At least on his end.

  Sirens sounded in the distance. About damn time. Standing, he lifted the kid with him and this time the boy curled up against him, tears in his eyes as he surveyed the destruction around them.

  “Xavier!” A screaming, crying woman raced at them, her flowery black and peach dress ripped at the bottom, revealing a bleeding knee.

  “Mommy!” The boy jumped from his arms. Okay, the kid was safe with his mom.

  What kind of monster bombed a wedding? On the same day his own son was getting married? Brooks shook the thought off, would save his rage for later. He had to find Gage.

  Chapter 21

  —Fuck this shit.—

  Brooks stood by a huge oak tree across the street with Leighton and Gage. Leighton had taken the two FBI jackets and both their fake IDs and was planning to dispose of them very soon. So far they hadn’t been questioned by the Feds—they’d had more important things to focus on—but Brooks knew that was coming.

  “Doesn’t seem to be any deaths,” Leighton said quietly, relief on his face.

  “Good… Here comes your friend.” Brooks looked past Leighton to see Hazel moving toward them with a determined stride. In black pants and a thick jacket with FBI on the front and back, she looked grim.

  As she reached them, however, her expression lightened ever so slightly. “Hey, guys. Hell of a thing you did. Thank you.”

  Brooks and Gage just nodded.

  After a long pause, she glanced over her shoulder, then looked back at them. “So. According to Father Ramos, two men burst in with jackets and IDs and cleared everyone out.”

  Neither of them responded.

  One of her eyebrows hiked up but she continued. “Maybe he’s wrong, and two well-meaning citizens—not impersonating FBI agents—did this, but I’m pretty sure he’s not. We can do this two ways…” She glanced over her shoulder again then back at them. “You can answer questions you probably don’t want to answer, or you can get the hell out of here
and we take all the credit for today. The two ‘heroes’ won’t get any media attention either. We’ll keep this locked down tight as a group effort. Unless you want to get your faces splashed across the—”

  “Absolutely—”

  “Not,” Brooks finished for Gage.

  Even Leighton let out a subtle sigh of relief after they answered. Brooks knew they wouldn’t face any legal action. Not really. The Feds wouldn’t do anything to two heroes even if they had impersonated agents—the Bureau would be crucified in the media for not stopping it themselves. But anyone related to Redemption Harbor Consulting did not want any media attention. This was a win-win for everyone.

  Hazel nodded once. “Good answer. Here,” she said, handing them a set of keys. “Your cars aren’t going anywhere for a while.”

  Yeah, no shit. They were in the middle of everything, blocked in by an ambulance and other government vehicles.

  She continued. “This is to my personal vehicle. Get the hell out of here.”

  “You gonna get in any trouble for this?” Leighton asked.

  She snorted. “No. We thwarted a bombing at an elementary school and now there’s absolutely no loss of life here. My boss is a dick who’s got his own dick in a vise right now for something not related to this. He needs this win. He’s not going to care how everyone made it out alive. I’ll make it work. Trust me. And I’ll make sure your vehicles are dropped off somewhere.”

  “I’ll text you an address,” Leighton said.

  “What about Markov?” Brooks asked, not willing to leave just yet.

  “We’ve got our techs out here combing over the explosion site. Once we’re done, I’ll let you know.”

  “He’s into this up to his neck. You’ve got that recording.”

  “We do. But we’re playing this by the books.” She grinned. “Well, most of it. We want him and Kuznetsov.” She lowered her voice even though they were across the street from everyone else and far enough away that no one could hear them.